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Notes: Bochy's goal remains winning

Notes: Bochy's goal remains winning

SAN FRANCISCO -- For Friday, at least, the Giants' renewed emphasis on the future seemed to be part of ... the future.

The lineup featured the usual, veteran suspects. The average age of the eight starting position players was 36; catcher Bengie Molina was the youngest at 32.

"I'm just going out there trying to win tonight," said center fielder Dave Roberts, 35.

Winning each day is always the manager's uppermost priority, and Bruce Bochy was still no exception -- even after hearing that owner Peter Magowan and general manager Brian Sabean, who received a two-year contract extension, hoped to add youth to the roster.

Asked about the rebuilding process, which he endured in various seasons with the San Diego Padres, Bochy said, "I don't want that to be the focus for this club. It's not going to be the focus with me. It's going to be coming out here and trying to win."

Bochy reiterated that he would mix younger players into the lineup more often, particularly as the Giants' schedule grows more taxing. Friday night's series opener against the Los Angeles Dodgers marked the first of 17 consecutive games for San Francisco. Then, after a scheduled off-day July 30, the Giants must play 31 games in 30 days.

But until he hears otherwise, Bochy's goal is to lead the Giants out of last place in the National League West.

"Right now," he said, "we're going to do all we can to fight our way back into this."

To that end, Bochy began the season's theoretical second half with Rich Aurilia at third base instead of Pedro Feliz, who started 71 of the first 86 games there.

"Richie's swinging the bat well," Bochy said, referring to Aurilia's .438 showing (7-for-16) in his final four starts before the All-Star break. By contrast, Feliz had hit .125 (7-for56) in his previous 15 games.

Game time: Reliever Russ Ortiz is scheduled to throw his first simulated game Sunday since June 5, when he was placed on the disabled list with a right forearm strain. If all goes well Sunday, Ortiz will be sent to Triple-A Fresno on Monday for a rehabilitation assignment.

More than testing his arm strain, Ortiz said the simulated game and rehab assignment will be a good place for him to get his consistency back.

"I'm looking forward just to having the adrenaline back and seeing how I respond to that," Ortiz said. "I want to be pitching consistently again."

Muy caliente: Giants Hall of Fame pitcher Juan Marichal and Gold Glove shortstop Omar Vizquel were both elected to the all-time Latino club "Estrellas Latinas" by fans who voted on ESPNdeportes.com.

Feat of Clay: While Fred Lewis, Dan Ortmeier and Nate Schierholtz all have received chances to excel in the Major Leagues in their respective escapes from Triple-A, outfielder Clay Timpner has steadily put together a solid season. Timpner entered Friday with a Pacific Coast Leaague-high .345 average, fattened by a 14-game hitting streak entering the All-Star break.